Page 24

S ixteen

Brody sat in the sunlight on the boardwalk outside his doctor’s office.

He’d been married for a while now. He paused, trying to count the days.

He’d spent a few of them unconscious, so he wasn’t sure.

And he had felt terrible the whole time.

But this morning he’d awakened to feel not quite so battered.

He could inhale now without it feeling as if a horse had kicked him in the chest.

He wasn’t seeing double anymore, at least not today. He was a married man with a doting wife who’d spent all the days of their marriage so far being more nurse than wife. And his little brothers had gone on their treasure hunt without him.

Now, after a quiet day of being available to do doctoring work but having no one stop in, Ellie had gone to the ranch house to rustle up some food.

Or that’s what she’d said. He had the distinct feeling she’d just decided he wouldn’t collapse if she stepped away from him and ran off, just to do anything besides hover over him.

He hadn’t managed a wedding night yet. That might have bothered him if he hadn’t been feeling so wretched.

And he had to go back to Boston. All morning as he’d sat here alone, he’d been wrestling with the fact that his brothers might well not go with him.

Thayne had told him “I’m not a boy,” not once but twice. And his birthday was coming up in November. He’d be seventeen. Lock, fourteen, was still a gangly youth, but that wouldn’t be true for long.

When Lock’s age, Brody had worked every night and every weekend to help their ma support the family. But his brothers weren’t so dependent on him now, and they didn’t want to go with him. They liked it here.

He couldn’t quite tell if he had a broken heart, or if his ribs were just aching.

Right about then, a very pregnant woman came walking toward him. Michelle Hart. Brody hadn’t been around her much, but he’d sure heard talk of her. Smart as a whip. Liked to run things to suit herself, and mostly everyone let her because she had a gift for making things run right.

He wondered how she’d handle the often-disorganized business of being a mother.

She came up the steps and tilted her head sideways to study him.

“You really think I’m a better doctor than the one who takes care of Mayhew Westbrook?” she asked.

Michelle hadn’t come to the doctor’s office yesterday to find Brody. Most everyone else in the family had, including Zane. He must’ve told her.

“Did Zane mention I told Mayhew that Josh’s horse was a better doctor than Mayhew’s?”

There was an empty rocking chair near Brody.

Ellie had produced them from somewhere. Brody didn’t want to know who she’d stolen them from.

She’d declared he needed to sit, and he might as well sit outside in the sunlight.

She’d obviously intended to sit beside him, but then she ran off and didn’t come back.

“He did mention that,” said Michelle. “The four humors, huh?”

“Mayhew is the luckiest man alive to have survived that man and his leeches all these years.”

Michelle laughed, then settled into the second chair.

“How far along are you with that baby?”

“I’d say I’ve got two weeks left.”

“So it could come anytime.” They sat looking forward, rocking. “Two weeks early, two weeks late—those fall within the range of a full-term pregnancy.”

Michelle nodded. “I’m hoping you’ll stay to deliver it. I know Harriet very well, and she said you’re a good doctor. A great doctor, in fact.”

Brody said quietly, hoping to put an end to this conversation, “I’m planning to stay that long.

But I’m not planning to stay forever. I gave my word to a doctor, who treated me well out in Boston.

My word of honor that I’d come back.” He turned to face her.

“You wouldn’t expect me to break my word, would you, Michelle? ”

She rocked in silence for a moment. Thinking maybe?

Finally, she answered, “I don’t expect you to stay, no.

But I wish you would anyway. We need more men of honor in this world, and I’d like to have one giving medical care here at the Two Harts.

Maybe you should consider if your promise to the Boston doctor is a lifetime promise.

Or if you might work with him for a year and call that honoring your word.

We’re going to miss our Beth Ellen, who insists on being called Ellie.

She and her very honorable husband will always be welcome here. ”

She reached across from her rocking chair and patted him on the back of his hand, then rose with fair agility for a very pregnant woman.

As she walked away, Brody saw Ellie coming. The two women stopped and visited for a minute or two, and then Ellie came toward him, carrying a tray. When she got close, he smelled chicken and maybe apple strudel.

He got up quickly, realized he hardly hurt at all, and got the door for her. Then he followed her through the doctor’s office and up the stairs to their living quarters.

She set the tray down on the counter next to the dry sink. He came up behind her and whispered, “I’m feeling better.”

She turned, her expression joyful. “I have noticed you haven’t had to move quite so carefully today. I’m so glad.”

He leaned forward and kissed her. “I’m glad too.” He kissed her again and pulled her against him. “And it’s much too early for supper.”

She eased back enough to meet his eyes, her smile widening. She took his hand and led him away from the food.

The afternoon turned into evening. No patients came looking for help.

And together, at last, they became fully and beautifully married.